# US 11,077,633 B2 · Method of forming non-pneumatic tire including pressure application between an intermediate section and an outer shear band ring

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- Number: US 11,077,633 B2
- Document ID: US11077633B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/066,769
- Filed: 2016-11-04
- Published: 2019-01-17
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2015-12-28
- Assignees: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
- Applicants: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
- Inventors: Eric Rivers; Clayton Bohn, Jr.; Brian D Wilson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077633B2

## CPC

- B29D 30/02: Solid tyres {; Moulds therefor}
- B29D 30/00: Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof (producing inner tubes B29D23/24; constructional form of tyres or parts thereof B60C; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; testing of tyres G01M17/02)
- B29D 30/2607: {Devices for transferring annular tyre components during the building-up stage, e.g. from the first stage to the second stage building drum}
- B60B 3/001: {Lightweight wheels, e.g. for strollers or toys}
- B60B 9/04: in leaf form
- B60B 9/10: of rubber or the like
- B60B 9/26: comprising resilient spokes
- B60B 2320/12: Assembly devices for spoked wheels
- B60C 7/14: using springs
- B60C 7/146: {extending substantially radially, e.g. like spokes}
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)
- B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES

## Abstract

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (12) that has an inner diameter. An intermediate section (14) is provided that has a supporting structure. An outer diameter (102) of the intermediate section (14) in the uncompressed state is greater than the inner diameter (70) of the outer shear band ring (12). The intermediate section is compressed from the uncompressed state to a compressed state, and is inserted inside of the outer shear band ring (12). Compression of the intermediate section is released when the intermediate section is inside of the outer shear band ring, and the intermediate section (14) moves from the compressed state to a state of interference fit with the outer shear band ring (12).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire comprising the steps of:
providing an outer shear band ring, wherein the outer shear band ring has an inner diameter;
providing an intermediate section that has a supporting structure that has spokes comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the intermediate section is in an uncompressed state, wherein in the uncompressed state the intermediate section has an outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the intermediate section in the uncompressed state is greater than the inner diameter of the outer shear band ring;
compressing the intermediate section from the uncompressed state to a compressed state;
inserting the intermediate section when in the compressed state inside of the outer shear band ring; and
releasing compression of the intermediate section when the intermediate section is inside of the outer shear band ring such that the intermediate section moves from the compressed state to a state of interference fit with the outer shear band ring;
wherein the intermediate section has an outer surface that is located at the outer diameter of the intermediate section in the uncompressed state that extends 360 degrees about an axis of the intermediate section, wherein in the compressed state the entire outer surface is located closer to the axis of the intermediate section in a radial direction than the outer diameter of the intermediate section when in the uncompressed state;
wherein the intermediate section has an inner shear band ring, wherein the inner shear band ring is located at the outer surface of the intermediate section, wherein the inner shear band ring engages the outer shear band ring after the step of releasing compression of the intermediate section.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner shear band ring and the outer shear band ring form a shear band ring, and wherein the inner shear band ring includes two layers.

### Claim 3

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire comprising the steps of:
providing an outer shear band ring, wherein the outer shear band ring has an inner diameter;
providing an intermediate section that has a supporting structure that has spokes comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the intermediate section is in an uncompressed state, wherein in the uncompressed state the intermediate section has an outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the intermediate section in the uncompressed state is greater than the inner diameter of the outer shear band ring;
compressing the intermediate section from the uncompressed state to a compressed state;
inserting the intermediate section when in the compressed state inside of the outer shear band ring; and
releasing compression of the intermediate section when the intermediate section is inside of the outer shear band ring such that the intermediate section moves from the compressed state to a state of interference fit with the outer shear band ring;
wherein the supporting structure has an inner V pair spoke section and an interface ring, wherein the interface ring is located outward from the inner V pair spoke section in the radial direction, wherein the supporting structure has an outer V pair spoke section located outward from the interface ring in the radial direction;
wherein the state of interference fit of the intermediate section causes the application of pressure of from 1-2 bar onto an inner surface of the outer shear band ring 360 degrees around an axis of the outer shear band ring;
providing a hub; and
positioning the hub inside of the intermediate section such that the intermediate section is located outward from the hub in the radial direction, wherein the positioning of the hub step is performed after the step of releasing compression of the intermediate section.

### Claim 4

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire comprising:
providing an outer shear band ring, wherein the outer shear band ring has an inner diameter;
providing an intermediate section that has a supporting structure, wherein the intermediate section is in an uncompressed state, wherein in the uncompressed state the intermediate section has an outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the intermediate section in the uncompressed state is greater than the inner diameter of the outer shear band ring;
compressing the intermediate section from the uncompressed state to a compressed state;
inserting the intermediate section when in the compressed state inside of the outer shear band ring; and
releasing compression of the intermediate section when the intermediate section is inside of the outer shear band ring such that the intermediate section moves from the compressed state to a state of interference fit with the outer shear band ring;
wherein the intermediate section has an inner shear band ring, wherein the inner shear band ring is located at the outer surface of the intermediate section, wherein the inner shear band ring engages the outer shear band ring after releasing compression of the intermediate section, wherein a shear band ring includes the inner shear band ring and the attached outer shear band ring.

### Claim 5

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire comprising:
providing an outer shear band ring, wherein the outer shear band ring has an inner diameter;
providing an intermediate section that has a supporting structure, wherein the intermediate section is in an uncompressed state, wherein in the uncompressed state the intermediate section has an outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the intermediate section in the uncompressed state is greater than the inner diameter of the outer shear band ring;
compressing the intermediate section from the uncompressed state to a compressed state;
inserting the intermediate section when in the compressed state inside of the outer shear band ring; and
releasing compression of the intermediate section when the intermediate section is inside of the outer shear band ring such that the intermediate section moves from the compressed state to a state of interference fit with the outer shear band ring;
wherein the intermediate section has an inner shear band ring, wherein the inner shear band ring is located at the outer surface of the intermediate section, wherein the inner shear band ring engages the outer shear band ring after releasing compression of the intermediate section, wherein the outer shear band ring has at least some materials that are the same as some materials of the inner shear band ring.